Alim McNeill is 'physically ready' to return, but MNF status is still unclear
The long wait for defensive tackle Alim McNeill's return may finally be coming to an end. After going from "50/50" odds to "51/49" odds, head coach Dan Campbell appeared more confident than ever that McNeill's return was imminent.
Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Campbell provided an update with where McNeill is at:
I mean, he looked good last week. He's - the last two weeks, he's looked good. He's getting more comfortable, legs are under him, he's physically ready, and so I think we're all hopeful.
When asked if McNeill could return Sunday, Campbell offered his most optimistic and lighthearted tone yet, saying, "I'd love to believe so. I mean, I would - 58, 52, 48, 58 - I don't know." Campbell's joke referencing his previous odds to McNeill's return drew laughter from himself and the media, but he followed that with a more direct answer, saying, "We're getting closer. I'm starting to feel pretty good."
Coach Campbell on Alim McNeill's progress pic.twitter.com/jVUCBbBFEP
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 14, 2025
McNeill's return would be a massive boost for the Lions' struggling defense
There's a reason why Campbell and Lions fans have been so invested in McNeill's recovery. Not just because of how remarkable it is that he's returning so soon after the ACL injury he suffered last December, but because of how pivotal he would be for a struggling defense.
At the time of his injury, McNeill was considered among the best DTs in the league and strongly in the mix for an All-Pro selection. His pass-rushing grade of 93.9 led all defensive players, regardless of position, in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF also listed McNeill as having a pass-rushing win percentage of 62.50% and a pressure rate of 40% -- both well above elite edge rushers like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons.
Pass rushing may not be as big an issue as Lions fans had thought it would be entering the season, given how elite the duo of Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad has been, but plugging in a strong pass-rushing interior defender like McNeill will assuredly provide those two more openings to get to the quarterback.
The Lions' defense will face a major test going up against a strong offensive line that protects MVP candidate Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has shown himself to be difficult to bring down, and his arm will pose enough issues for a depleted Lions' secondary. If McNeill returns on Monday, that would be a major boost for the Lions' defense and could go a long way toward limiting what Mayfield can do. Lions need all the help they can get to head into the bye week with a win.
Insiders sound alarms about Colts' Daniel Jones amid injury worries
Some previously viewed Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones as a legitimate candidate for the 2025 Most Valuable Player Award after he guided the Colts to seven wins over the season's first eight weeks.
The Colts have since lost three of four games to fall to 8-4, and it's now known that Jones is playing with a reported fracture in his fibula. For an article published on Wednesday, ESPN NFL insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano shared some worrisome information about Jones' performances over the past month.
Opposing coaches can see Daniel Jones isn't healthy
"He's clearly not 100 percent, and coaches I've talked to who have either prepared for the Colts or watched them closely say that his mobility appears compromised," Fowler wrote about Jones. "It's also, based on my understanding after asking around, an injury that he can play through. In other words, I'm not so sure a few weeks of rest will make the issue better. And Jones is very tough and willing to push through. But the Colts are on the ropes and will need him at his best. Their scoring output has dipped 12 points per game since Week 9."
According to Pro Football Reference, Jones was responsible for four interceptions and seven fumbles (three lost) from Week 9 through Week 13. In Indianapolis' 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans this past Sunday, he completed 14-of-27 pass attempts for 201 yards and two touchdowns. That said, ESPN's Stephen Holder mentioned that Jones connected on only 2-of-11 passes when under pressure against Houston.
How Daniel Jones' injury is impacting the Colts' offense
"I spoke with some folks in Houston after the Texans-Colts game Sunday, and they said they felt as if Jones really couldn't move at all," Graziano added. "He was able to hit some shots downfield when the pocket held up, but the mobility part of his game is missing, which makes the offense seem more limited."
The Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars are tied atop the AFC South standings at 8-4. Those two teams will meet at Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium on Sunday, and DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as 1.5-point favorites for that matchup as of Wednesday.
Indianapolis will host Jacksonville in Week 17.
